Resolution Number: 2015-A197
Title: Adopt the Budget of The Episcopal Church
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention adopt the 2016-2018 Budget for the Episcopal Church as presented by the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance.

1.0 The Budget for the Episcopal Church for the period January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018, which shall be a unified budget including Canonical, Corporate, and Program (mission) portions, is adopted at a total of $125,012,351.

1.1 The Canonical portion, providing for the contingent expenses of the General Convention, the stipend of the Presiding Bishop and the expenses of that office, the expenses of the President of the House of Deputies, and Church Pension Fund assessments is adopted at a total of $22,584,693.

1.2 The Corporate portion, providing for the administrative support of the Domestic & Foreign Missionary Society offices, is adopted at a total of $35,236,451.

1.3 The Program (mission) portion, providing for support for the mission and ministry (restricted and unrestricted) of the Church, is adopted at a total of $67,191,207.

1.4 That $150,000 be added to the Stewardship Development (TENS) line item (138) of the 2016-2018 Triennium budget; that $150,000 be deducted from the Development Office line item (186b) of the 2016-2018 budget.

2.0 The funding policy for the period January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018 is adopted based on a single Asking of the dioceses. After a $150,000 exemption from total income, a single Asking shall be applied at flat rates of 18%, 16.5% and 15%, respectively in years 2016, 2017 and 2018 of the balance of income to the diocese, reported in the diocesan financial statements for the year two years prior to the year to which the pledge is applied [e.g., 2016 Askings are to be based on 2014 actual income figures]. “Income” includes (1) all congregational giving to the diocese, (2) all unrestricted investment and endowment income to the diocese, (3) restricted investment and endowment income to the diocese which covers costs in the operating budget, and (4) other earnings from investments or enterprises. It is intended that income shall include revenues that fund normal operating and program expenses of the dioceses. It is not intended to include pass-through income that is used for expenses for programming that are simply administered by the dioceses, or that would not be otherwise funded by contributions from parishes or out of investment income.

2.1 We rejoice with dioceses that have moved toward, and those that have given at and above 19% during 2013-2015. Such giving creates a strong financial basis for vital mission and witness of the Episcopal Church. We encourage all our dioceses to adopt the Asking to the mission priorities which we have embraced in this 78th General Convention.

2.2 For the budgetary period income from diocesan commitments, totaling $46,653,753 is anticipated.

2.3 For the budgetary period 2016-2018, payment by the dioceses of the Askings shall be made in twelve equal monthly payments.

2.4 All additional income, other than from the Askings of the dioceses, totaling $49,476,979, is projected.

2.5 A General Ordination fee is hereby authorized, which fees are expected to cover the expenses and administration of examinations for Holy Orders. A candidate for Holy Orders eligible for examination and so certified by the diocesan bishop shall not be disqualified for examination because the fee has not been paid.

2.6 General Convention registration and exhibitors fees are hereby authorized, which fees shall be added to the funding from dioceses and applied to the expenses of the 2018 General Convention, and for no other purpose.

3.0 In the exercise of their respective authorities, the Executive Council of the General Convention and the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance shall be subject to the following policies:

3.1 Each year, the Executive Council, with the advice of the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance, shall adjust the budget to the assured income of the Executive Council so as to carry out the Budget for the Episcopal Church for that year on a balanced budget basis.

3.2 The fiscal year shall begin January 1.

3.3 If in any year the total anticipated income for budget support is less than the amount required to support the budget approved by the General Convention, the Canonical portion of the Budget for the Episcopal Church shall have funding priority over any other budget areas.

3.4 Undesignated bequests and legacies received during the budgetary period shall be set aside in the general endowment fund of which only the income shall be used for the general purposes of the Society.

3.5 Designated bequests and legacies received during the budgetary period shall be set aside in specific funds of which only the income shall be used for the purposes so designated.

3.6 Each interim body, Committee, Commission, Agency and Board (CCAB), or Task Force proposing to the General Convention any resolution with funding implications shall present to the Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance a detailed budget in support of its plan(s), including cost estimates from contractors and suppliers for all goods and services, by no later than six months before the opening day of the General Convention.

3.7 An annual report of the actual income and expenditures of the DFMS, relating the expenditures to the Church’s priorities, shall be posted on the DFMS website when it is released.

3.8 An annual report of the trust fund balances with accompanying narratives shall be posted on the DFMS website when it is released.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Salt Lake City, 2015 (New York: General Convention, 2015), pp. 379-380.

Legislative History

Author: Legislative Committee on Program, Budget and Finance
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Program, Budget and Finance

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance presented its Report #1 on Resolution A197 (Adopt the Budget of The Episcopal Church) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A197)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention adopt the 2016-2018 Budget for the Episcopal Church as presented by the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance.

1.0 The Budget for the Episcopal Church for the period January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018, which shall be a unified budget including Canonical, Corporate, and Program (mission) portions, is adopted at a total of $ 122,189,125.

1.1 The Canonical portion, providing for the contingent expenses of the General Convention, the stipend of the Presiding Bishop and the expenses of that office, the expenses of the President of the House of Deputies, and Church Pension Fund assessments is adopted at a total of $22,584,693.

1.2 The Corporate portion, providing for the administrative support of the Domestic & Foreign Missionary Society offices, is adopted at a total of $35,236,451.

1.3 The Program (mission) portion, providing for support for the mission and ministry (restricted and unrestricted) of the Church, is adopted at a total of $64,367,981.

2.0 The funding policy for the period January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018 is adopted based on a single Asking of the dioceses. After a $150,000 exemption from total income, a single Asking shall be applied at flat rates of 18%, 16.5% and 15%, respectively in years 2016, 2017 and 2018 of the balance of income to the diocese, reported in the diocesan financial statements for the year two years prior to the year to which the pledge is applied [e.g., 2016 Askings are to be based on 2014 actual income figures]. “Income” includes (1) all congregational giving to the diocese, (2) all unrestricted investment and endowment income to the diocese, (3) restricted investment and endowment income to the diocese which covers costs in the operating budget, and (4) other earnings from investments or enterprises. It is intended that income shall include revenues that fund normal operating and program expenses of the dioceses. It is not intended to include pass-through income that is used for expenses for programming that are simply administered by the dioceses, or that would not be otherwise funded by contributions from parishes or out of investment income.

2.1 We rejoice with dioceses that have moved toward, and those that have given at and above 19% during 2013-2015. Such giving creates a strong financial basis for vital mission and witness of the Episcopal Church. We encourage all our dioceses to adopt the Asking to the mission priorities which we have embraced in this 78th General Convention.

2.2 For the budgetary period income from diocesan commitments, totaling $46,653,753 is anticipated.

2.3 For the budgetary period 2016-2018, payment by the dioceses of the Askings shall be made in twelve equal monthly payments.

2.4 All additional income, other than from the Askings of the dioceses, totaling $46,653,753, is projected.

2.5 A General Ordination fee is hereby authorized, which fees are expected to cover the expenses and administration of examinations for Holy Orders. A candidate for Holy Orders eligible for examination and so certified by the diocesan bishop shall not be disqualified for examination because the fee has not been paid.

2.6 General Convention registration and exhibitors fees are hereby authorized, which fees shall be added to the funding from dioceses and applied to the expenses of the 2018 General Convention, and for no other purpose.

3.0 In the exercise of their respective authorities, the Executive Council of the General Convention and the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance shall be subject to the following policies:

3.1 Each year, the Executive Council, with the advice of the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance, shall adjust the budget to the assured income of the Executive Council so as to carry out the Budget for the Episcopal Church for that year on a balanced budget basis.

3.2 The fiscal year shall begin January 1.

3.3 If in any year the total anticipated income for budget support is less than the amount required to support the budget approved by the General Convention, the Canonical portion of the Budget for the Episcopal Church shall have funding priority over any other budget areas.

3.4 Undesignated bequests and legacies received during the budgetary period shall be set aside in the general endowment fund of which only the income shall be used for the general purposes of the Society.

3.5 Designated bequests and legacies received during the budgetary period shall be set aside in specific funds of which only the income shall be used for the purposes so designated.

3.6 Each interim body, Committee, Commission, Agency and Board (CCAB), or Task Force proposing to the General Convention any resolution with funding implications shall present to the Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance a detailed budget in support of its plan(s), including cost estimates from contractors and suppliers for all goods and services, by no later than six months before the opening day of the General Convention.

3.7 An annual report of the actual income and expenditures of the DFMS, relating the expenditures to the Church’s priorities, shall be posted on the DFMS website when it is released.

3.8 An annual report of the trust fund balances with accompanying narratives shall be posted on the DFMS website when it is released.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention adopt the 2016-2018 Budget for the Episcopal Church as presented by the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance.

1.0 The Budget for the Episcopal Church for the period January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018, which shall be a unified budget including Canonical, Corporate, and Program (mission) portions, is adopted at a total of $ 122,189,125. $122,234,125.

1.1 The Canonical portion, providing for the contingent expenses of the General Convention, the stipend of the Presiding Bishop and the expenses of that office, the expenses of the President of the House of Deputies, and Church Pension Fund assessments is adopted at a total of $22,584,693.

1.2 The Corporate portion, providing for the administrative support of the Domestic & Foreign Missionary Society offices, is adopted at a total of $35,236,451.

1.3 The Program (mission) portion, providing for support for the mission and ministry (restricted and unrestricted) of the Church, is adopted at a total of $64,367,981.$64,412,981.

2.0 The funding policy for the period January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018 is adopted based on a single Asking of the dioceses. After a $150,000 exemption from total income, a single Asking shall be applied at flat rates of 18%, 16.5% and 15%, respectively in years 2016, 2017 and 2018 of the balance of income to the diocese, reported in the diocesan financial statements for the year two years prior to the year to which the pledge is applied [e.g., 2016 Askings are to be based on 2014 actual income figures]. “Income” includes (1) all congregational giving to the diocese, (2) all unrestricted investment and endowment income to the diocese, (3) restricted investment and endowment income to the diocese which covers costs in the operating budget, and (4) other earnings from investments or enterprises. It is intended that income shall include revenues that fund normal operating and program expenses of the dioceses. It is not intended to include pass-through income that is used for expenses for programming that are simply administered by the dioceses, or that would not be otherwise funded by contributions from parishes or out of investment income.

2.1 We rejoice with dioceses that have moved toward, and those that have given at and above 19% during 2013-2015. Such giving creates a strong financial basis for vital mission and witness of the Episcopal Church. We encourage all our dioceses to adopt the Asking to the mission priorities which we have embraced in this 78th General Convention.

2.2 For the budgetary period income from diocesan commitments, totaling $46,653,753 $75,606,206 is anticipated.

2.3 For the budgetary period 2016-2018, payment by the dioceses of the Askings shall be made in twelve equal monthly payments.

2.4 All additional income, other than from the Askings of the dioceses, totaling $46,653,753, is projected.

2.5 A General Ordination fee is hereby authorized, which fees are expected to cover the expenses and administration of examinations for Holy Orders. A candidate for Holy Orders eligible for examination and so certified by the diocesan bishop shall not be disqualified for examination because the fee has not been paid.

2.6 General Convention registration and exhibitors fees are hereby authorized, which fees shall be added to the funding from dioceses and applied to the expenses of the 2018 General Convention, and for no other purpose.

3.0 In the exercise of their respective authorities, the Executive Council of the General Convention and the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance shall be subject to the following policies:

3.1 Each year, the Executive Council, with the advice of the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance, shall adjust the budget to the assured income of the Executive Council so as to carry out the Budget for the Episcopal Church for that year on a balanced budget basis.

3.2 The fiscal year shall begin January 1.

3.3 If in any year the total anticipated income for budget support is less than the amount required to support the budget approved by the General Convention, the Canonical portion of the Budget for the Episcopal Church shall have funding priority over any other budget areas.

3.4 Undesignated bequests and legacies received during the budgetary period shall be set aside in the general endowment fund of which only the income shall be used for the general purposes of the Society.

3.5 Designated bequests and legacies received during the budgetary period shall be set aside in specific funds of which only the income shall be used for the purposes so designated.

3.6 Each interim body, Committee, Commission, Agency and Board (CCAB), or Task Force proposing to the General Convention any resolution with funding implications shall present to the Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance a detailed budget in support of its plan(s), including cost estimates from contractors and suppliers for all goods and services, by no later than six months before the opening day of the General Convention.

3.7 An annual report of the actual income and expenditures of the DFMS, relating the expenditures to the Church’s priorities, shall be posted on the DFMS website when it is released.

3.8 An annual report of the trust fund balances with accompanying narratives shall be posted on the DFMS website when it is released.

Deputy Logue of Georgia moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

Amend the resolution to add to the budget lines 4c "Income from Unrestricted Reserves for Evangelism Initiatives" in the amount of $2,823,225.80 and line 28 "Evangelism Initiatives" in the amount of $2,823,225.80 as directed by Resolutions A086 and D005:

1.0 The Budget for the Episcopal Church for the period January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018, which shall be a unified budget including Canonical, Corporate, and Program (mission) portions, is adopted at a total of $ 122,189,125 $125,012,351.

1.3 The Program (mission) portion, providing for support for the mission and ministry (restricted and unrestricted) of the Church, is adopted at a total of $64,367,981 $67,191,207.

2.4 All additional income, other than from the Askings of the dioceses, totaling $46,653,753 $49,476,979, is projected.

Deputy King of Western New York moved to end debate on the amendment.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

An electronic vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

Deputy Cullinane of San Joaquin moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

To add section 1.4:

1.4 That $150,000 be added to the Stewardship Development (TENS) line item (line item 138) of the 2016-2018 Triennium budget; that $150,000 be deducted from the Development Office line item (line item 186b) of the 2016-2018 budget.

Deputy Garner of Alabama moved to end debate on the amendment.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

An electronic vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

An electronic vote was taken on the resolution.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #294)

The President asked the House to express their gratitude to the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance for its hard work.

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Program, Budget and Finance presented its Report #1 on HD Message #294 on Resolution A197 (Adopt the Budget of The Episcopal Church) and moved concurrence.

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on Resolution A197.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #254)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 2.

Abstract:   The 78th General Convention adopts the 2016-2018 Budget of The Episcopal Church.
Notes:  

The Archives edited the format of the amendments to conform to the standard.